Solar-Powered Plane Heads Cross-Country

Solar Impulse flies day and night without fuel

A plane is attempting to fly across the U.S. without any fuel onboard.

The plane — the solar-powered Solar Impulse — relies only on power from its solar panels and not on any other fuel, Fox News reports.

The Solar Impulse draws power from its panels during daytime flying, and at night it uses electricity stored in its onboard batteries that are charged while the sun is up. The plan travels at approximately 21,000 feet.

The plane’s two designers, Bertrand Piccard and Andre Borschberg, are taking turns flying the single seat craft. Piccard took the first leg — from San Francisco to Phoenix — of the flight. The second leg — from Phoenix to Dallas — will begin after a rest and a check of the plane’s hardware.

After five legs, the plane will touch down in New York City in late June or early July.